5 Garden Chores in 5 Minutes: October

There are quite a few chores in a small garden that don't have to take very long at all. So they're perfect for tackling quickly or finishing up in between other tasks.

You can finish these garden chores in just 5 minutes! That way, you can still enjoy spending some time in the garden without spending too much time on it.

5 Quick Garden Chores for October

1. Collect plant seeds

Many plants have ripe seeds again now. Collect seeds from your favorite plants in your garden, your neighbors’ or family members’ gardens, or in the park. Hold an open paper envelope underneath and tap the stem with the seeds or seed heads so the seeds fall into the envelope. You can also cut off the entire seed head or part of the stem and take it with you. Just make sure to remove it in a timely manner so it doesn’t rot in the envelope. Don’t forget to clearly label your new seeds.

2. Pick the fruit

Pick apples, pears, and other fruits as soon as they are ripe. You can tell a fruit is ripe because it comes off easily when you lift it slightly and twist it. Be careful when picking, as many types of fruit are prone to bruises and dents. By the way, it’s best to eat fruit with dents right away rather than storing it for a long time.

3. Remove fallen leaves from paths and the lawn

A lot of leaves on your paths or patio can make them slippery. Of course, you can easily sweep the leaves away. Also rake fallen leaves off the lawn to prevent bare spots. If leaves are left on your lawn for too long, you’ll quickly end up with bare spots. Spread them in your flower beds, use them as a mulch layer to protect frost-sensitive plants, or toss them onto the compost pile.

4. Sow seeds in bare spots in the lawn near

Do you already have bare spots in your lawn? If so, repair them by reseeding those areas. The soil temperature is still high enough for grass seed to germinate. That way, you’ll have new grass growing over the bare spots before the end of the year.

5. Plant flower bulbs for next year

Planting Flower Bulbs It can be quite a chore. But by planting them row by row or in groups, it remains a quick and manageable task, allowing you to make a little progress each time. Just make sure you know exactly which flower bulbs are already in the ground (for example, by using labels or stakes).

Bonus tip: Take a moment to enjoy your garden!

This month is still a great time to enjoy your garden. Have a cup of coffee or tea in your garden—and just do absolutely nothing for a change! We don’t do that nearly often enough…

What quick yard chores are you tackling this month?

(If you'd like to see all the gardening tasks for this month, check out our Garden Calendar for October)